Hardwick Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

All groups of pupils make outstanding progress and standards are rising across the school. Pupils show great enjoyment in lessons and are excited by their learning. The quality of teaching has improved dramatically since the previous inspection.

Teachers are very aware of the different abilities and needs of their pupils and plan carefully so that all are able to achieve success. Behaviour in lessons and around the school is exemplary. Pupils are excellent ambassadors for the school, welcoming visitors into their classrooms and explaining what they are learning.

The school is rigorous in ensuring that all pupils, especia...lly those facing challenging circumstances, are safe and able to thrive. New arrivals from different countries, unable to speak English, are extremely well supported and quickly included. Pupils say how much they value the diverse cultures and religions that make up the school and show a high level of respect for each other's beliefs.

Pupils from Nursery to Year 6 follow a curriculum where reading, writing and numeracy skills are developed through a series of exciting topics that capture their imagination and make learning fun. The school ensures that pupils' experience is enriched through a wealth of activities including art, music and sport. Pupils across the school have an excellent understanding of what is meant by spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and how the school promotes this in all it does.

The inspirational headteacher, closely supported by his senior team and the governors, has been relentless in driving improvement in every area of the school's work. Their attention to detail and high expectations of both pupils and staff have led to exceptional improvement since the previous inspection.

Information about this school

The school is larger than the average-sized primary school.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is above average. The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is high, with the largest groups being of Pakistani and Gypsy Roma heritage.

An above average proportion of pupils speaks English as an additional language with some, newly arrived, at an early stage of learning English. A well above average proportion of pupils is known to be eligible for the pupil premium (which provides additional funding for looked after pupils and those known to be eligible for free school meals). The school meets the current government floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics.

Not all children who enter the Nursery class move on to Reception or to Key Stage 1. An additional class is added at the start of Year 3 to cater for the large proportion of pupils entering the school at the start of Key Stage 2. Over recent years, newly arrived pupils, particularly from Eastern Europe, have joined year groups across the school.